Rosenberg city officials opened a public hearing July 22 on a long‑proposed Texas Department of Transportation project to build an overpass on U.S. Highway 90A over the BNSF rail trestle, and residents urged the council to oppose it. Mayor (presiding) read the item: “Hold public hearing on US Highway 90 a overpass project for the cities of Rosenberg and Richmond and take action as necessary direct staff.”

Why it matters: The overpass has been on TxDOT plans for years and would alter the Far East Side landscape near the hospital and existing businesses. Speakers, including business owners and longtime residents, said the project risks driving customers from a struggling commercial corridor and questioned the need when flooding can be handled by pumps.

Former Mayor Larry Wilkinson, 3311 Avenue O, said he opposes the project and urged local leaders to “get your legislators to come down and drop the hammer on TxDOT” or pay for independent engineering to challenge the design. Sydney Mellon, 10910 Brays Bayou Drive, who said her family owns the shopping center adjoining the underpass, told council she and tenants oppose an overpass because it would “kill the businesses right in that immediate area.” James Zurbish, 2514 Cypress Lane, said previous state work had left lingering damage to nearby business districts and suggested revisiting the underpass‑plus‑pump option.

Council discussion: Council members said Highway 90A’s business corridor has weakened over time and that an overpass could accelerate vacancies. No binding vote was taken; the council directed staff to draft a resolution opposing the overpass and circulate it to state representatives and TxDOT for review. Mayor (presiding) said the draft resolution will return for council ratification at the first regular meeting in August.

Existing authorities and limits: The project is a TxDOT‑led state project. Council members repeatedly noted that the city lacks direct funding or final authority over TxDOT’s design decisions, but that a local resolution could communicate community preference to state officials.

Public input and next steps: Multiple residents emphasized alternatives—installing a lift pump in the underpass, adding fences under elevated structures to discourage encampments, or directing funds to bury overhead utilities at a nearby intersection. City staff will prepare a resolution opposing the project for council consideration at the next meeting and will send copies to the area’s state legislators and TxDOT.

Ending: The council did not adopt a final position at the workshop; it instructed staff to prepare a formal resolution opposing the overpass and return it for action at the council’s next regular meeting.